NANDANAAR

The Tamizh month of ‘Purattasi’ when the star ‘Rohini’ is on the ascent is said to be the day whence Nandanaar mingled with His Beloved Lord Siva in Chidambaram. Let me bring before you the divine life history of the great devotee Nandanaar! A Holy place ('kshetra’) is remembered not so much for the Deity there as for the devotee associated with the place. When we visit any holy place, we are at once reminded of the name and life-sketch of the devotees who were devoted to the deity there. Thus the name of the holy Chidambaram (a temple-town in Tamil Nadu) brings to our mind Nandanaar, one of the 63 ‘Nayanmars’ (the prominent devotees of Lord Siva). The life history of Nandanaar, in ‘Periyapuranam’ (a piece of literature that extols the lives of the 63 ‘Nayanmars’), depicts the deep devotion that this humble devotee had for Lord Siva and the grace of Lord Siva in conferring His love on His devotees, going beyond all worldly considerations like caste and creed.

Nandanaar was born in what was then classified as a low caste, in a slum in Adhanur village on the banks of River Kollidam (in Tamil Nadu). He worked as a farm hand of a landlord in the village. Exemplary in character, born out of his devotion to his Lord, he served his landlord sincerely. He served Lord Siva as much as he could. He made drums out of cow hide and also musical instruments such as 'yaazh', 'iyazhai' from the guts of animals and offered them to the temple for use in worship. Deeply devoted to Lord Siva, the Divine Name of his favorite Lord constantly played on his tongue. How deep was Nandanaar’s yearning for his Lord! Today, we speak of ‘Nama Siddantha’. It was Nandanaar who first propounded ‘Nama siddhanta’! He gathered the people in his neighborhood and pleaded with them to sing the Name of the Lord He pleaded, “Chant Namah SivAya! Namah SivAya! Chant Umapathe! Chant SAmbasivAya!” The people of the slum objected and refused to chant the Name of Lord Siva while they had their own deities. They said to him, “Nanda! Why do you insist on our chanting tongue twisting Names?” But Nandanaar was not to be bogged down by their disinterest and opposition. Amidst them lived a dumb girl who everyone called ‘Oomacchhi’ (dumb girl in Tamil language). Nandanaar advised the people, “Say ‘Oomacchi vA’!” (oh, the dumb! come!). So, they all called out to her, “Oomacchi vA! Oomacchi va!” and it sounded as ‘Uma Ch(S)iva!’ Nandanaar thus succeeded in making the Lord’s Divine Name play on the tongue of those who could not even utter it! In this way all the people around began chanting the Name of the Lord. Quite frequently he gathered the people of his slum around him and engaged them in chanting the Divine Names of the Lord. Ever since people joined Nandanaar in performing Nama Kirtan, none went to attend to his work in the fields, on time. So those affected by this tried to bring ‘sense’ into Nanda through a local leader of their slum. All of them together approached Nandanaar. They said to him, “Nanda! You are forever singing the Nama. Will singing the Nama earn food?” (‘Namam pAdi kondirundAl soru kidaikuma?’) Nanda replied, “Even the dog eats food. But can it chant ‘Bhagavan Nama’ - the Name of the Lord? (‘nAyum kooda choru thinnum Namam pAdumo?’) Nandanaar nurtured the deep desire to visit Lord Siva's Temple at Thiruppungur. Thiruppungur is about 4 kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil (a famous temple town in Tamil Nadu). Here, Lord Siva bears the name ‘Sivalokanathan’. One day, picking up courage, Nandanaar spoke about his desire to his landlord and sought his permission to visit Thiruppungur to have darshan of his beloved Lord. It was only that day the 40 acres of land had been ploughed and seeds sown. It would take at least another six months for the harvest. To put him off, the landlord told Nandanaar, “Hey, Nanda! Once they are ready for harvest you may leave for Thiruppungur!” A disappointed and grief stricken Nandanaar went to bed. In a divine dream he saw that the grains had grown to full and the vast field of his employer was all set for harvest! He immediately rushed to the fields and found it to be true and not just a dream. He could not believe his eyes. In that hour of the night he ran up to his landlord's house and called out to him, "Sir! Please come out. Come with me to the fields. They are ready for harvest!" Hearing the loud call of his farm hand, the landlord rushed out and hearing him repeat his request said to him, "Oh, mad fellow! Have you lost your wits totally due to your devotion to Lord Siva?" But Nandanaar insisted on the landlord accompanying him to the field. The landlord accompanied him and lo! What did his eyes behold? The field was all set for harvest! He could not believe what he saw. Well! How did these fields get ready for harvest overnight? The Lord is omnipotent. Is anything impossible for the Almighty? However, an interesting feature is shown here. Inside the Temple of Madurai Meenakshi is the sanctum of Lord Ganesha bearing the name Mukkuruni Pillaiyar. Three ‘kurunni’ (a measure) of grains are used to make ‘modaka’ ( a dish made of rice flour) for offering to this Ganesha, and hence the name. Legends have it that everyone teased Ganesha for sitting idle with his pot belly. So, Ganesha decided to find some employment! Taking the form of a young boy, he approached a devotee of his who was working on the fields and offered to assist him. This man asked, "How much wage do you expect?" Ganesha in the form of a young boy said, "Three ('moonru') 'kurunnai' grains”. At the end of the work he earned the grains and returned home happily. Ganesha went to his father Lord Siva and gave it to him. Lord Siva who behaves like a mad one (‘pithhan’) knows not what He does. He took the grains from Ganesha and emptied the whole sack on his own head! Lord Siva's head was already filled with sand that He had thrown over His head in play while participating in the construction of the embankment on behalf of His devotee Vandi (the famous episode which talk about Lord Siva carrying sand during the floods in the Vaigai river, in return for ‘pittu’). He held the Ganga on His head. When the Lord now emptied the sack of grains over His head, it sprouted up! So, when he wondered what to do with these, Nandanaar’s dire requirement came in and the Lord blessed him with these! The landlord realizing the greatness of Nandanaar's Bhakti fell at his feet, seeking his pardon. The landlord also helped him in his journey to Tiruppungur. Nandanaar gathered all the people from his slum and went to have darshan of Lord Sivalokanatha in Tiruppungur. There is a Ganesha here known by the name ‘kullam vettiya Vinayakar’ (Ganesha who dug a pond). It is said that this Ganesha dug a pond for Nandanaar and his people to bathe! In those days people considered to be from low caste were not permitted to enter temples. So, they had to have darshan of the Lord from outside the gate. To the dismay of Nandanaar the huge ‘Nandi’ (the Divine Bull of Lord Siva) in this temple obstructed his view of the Lord. The great carnatic music composer,Gopalakrishna Bharati has sung the kirtan: ‘chatre vilagiyirum pillAi! sannidhi maraikudu’ (Oh! ‘Nandi;! Please move aside, for, you are blocking the Sanctum Sanctorum!). It is not Nandanaar who requested ‘Nandi’ to move aside but it was Lord Siva who made the request as He desired to see His devotee!' This is the reason that the ‘Nandi’ here sits aside, even today (and not in straight line with Lord Siva in the sactum sactorum). And, one can also find the two 'dwArapAlAs' (sentinels at the Lord's Sanctum Sanctorum) in a bending position, as if trying to see this great devotee that their Lord desired to see! This is the Holy place where ‘Nandi’ moved aside so that Nandanaar and his people could have the Lord’s darshan. It is said that Nandanaar earned this name as he made Nandi move! Nandanaar's joy knew no bounds on receiving darshan of his Beloved Lord. Elated, he wished to offer his services to the Lord in some way. He, therefore, dug a pond before returning to his village with his people. Nandanaar now deeply yearned to visit Chidambaram (the Holy Place of Lord Siva known as 'Bhoo loka KailAs' - Kailash on earth). Chidambaram was not too far from the village where he lived. Somehow this remained only a dream for a long time. People knew of his deep yearning to visit Chidambaram and would, therefore, ask him, "Hey, Nanda! when do you propose to leave for Chidambaram?" Nandanaar would say, "Tomorrow!" This was his reply every time anybody enquired this of him. Thus he earned the name ‘ThirunALaipovAr!” - one who would leave for Chidambaram on the morrow ('nALai povAr' means 'go on the morrow'). He kept saying, “I am leaving for 'Thillai' (Chidambaram) tomorrow!” Poor Nanda was criticized by everyone and he earned the name ‘ThirunAllaipovAr’!

While Nandanaar worked on the field some pilgrims would come up to him and enquire of him, “Thillai ambalathukku pogumo ivazhi" - does this road lead to the temple at Chidambaram?" Feeling thrilled to hear the very name 'Thillai' (Chidambaram) he woud yearn to hear it again. So, instead offering a reply, he would plead with them, "Innum oru dharam solungallaiya!" - please utter that Name ('Thillai') once again! "oh, what did you say? Please say it again!” Thinking that he had not heard him, the pilgrims would repeat their question, "Does this road lead to 'Thillai' (Chidambaram)?" The very name 'Thillai' would throw him into ecstasy! The very sound ‘Thillai’ was melodious to his ears due to his deep desire to have darshan of Lord Nataraja (Siva). He would, therefore, tell them, "Oh, please repeat your question once more!" It would go on like this and those who had stopped to enquire would leave, mistaking him to be a crazy fellow! At last one fine day his dream came true. He set out for Chidambaram by foot. The deep desire to have darshan of the Lord inside the Sanctum Sanctorum of Chidambaram temple took hold of him. But when Nandanaar reached Chidambaram, remembering his birth in what was then considered a low caste, he hesitated to step into the holy town. Tired after the long walk he slumped down outside the holy town. But would the gracious, compassionate Lord, a devotee of the devotees, turn a blind eye to the plight of His devotee? Is He not verily the indweller of all? Would He then not hear the murmur of the devotee's loved filled heart? Lord Siva deeply moved by His beloved devotee appeared in the dream of the temple priests and informed them of his great devotee outside and instructed them to build a fire through which His devotee would enter and come out unscathed. This was only to illustrate the glory of His devotee to the world. The priests rushed out in all eagerness to meet this great devotee who the Lord Himself desired to receive. They informed him of the Lord's order. The priests then built a fire which Nandanaar entered and came out unscathed. With due respect and honor, the priests guided him through the town to the temple. Nandanaar had darshan of the 'gopuram' (Tower) of the temple and entered the temple. Nandanaar rushed to the Sanctum Sanctorum in all eagerness to meet his Lord and mingled with Him and attained beatitude.

SRI NARAYANA THIRTHAR

There are numerous devotees who have sung the glory of Lord Krishna in their native tongues – Oothukkaadu Venkata Subbaiyer in Tamil, Purandaradasa in Kannada, Pandarpur devotees in Marathi, Meera Bai in Hindi, etc. These devotees’ songs don’t accord as much importance to the raga and tala of the music as it does to the meaning and the divine emotions conveyed. Yet, many a Mahan has given equal weightage to music and divine emotions in their songs, Saint Thiyagaraja being an example. It is the same with Muthuswamy Deekshitar and Shyama Shastri also. Jayadeva composed the Gita Govinda (Ashtapadi) in Sanskrit. Another great Saint was Sri Narayana Thirthar. He has composed kirtans in Telugu and Sanskrit. The Krishna Janmashtami festival is celebrated in a grand manner in a hamlet called Varahur, near Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu, thanks to Sri Narayana Thirthar. His compositions called “Krishna Lila Tarangini” are accorded great respect and recognition in Nama Sankirtan and music concerts alike. Although these songs portray the divine plays of young Lord Krishna, scholars opine that it is verily the essence of Srimad Bhagavatam. In the village called Villathur in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh was born Sri Narayana Thirthar to Sri Neelakanta Shastri. When he reached the marriageable age, Sri Narayana Thirthar entered into wedlock and ran the household. Once when he was about to cross a river, Narayana Thirthar was caught in the raging floods. He immediately prayed to the Lord and embraced ‘Aapat Sanyasa’ right there. (‘Aapat Sanyasa’ is vow of sanyas undertaken for relief from some grave danger). The waters immediately subsided and Narayana Thirthar returned home forgetting his vow. His wife, who knew through divine intuition that her husband had embraced Sanyasa, questioned him as to why he came home after having taken Sanyasa Deeksha! Such is the power of the truth in Mahans’ words that the moment they utter a statement, it becomes truth. Later, he was formally initiated into Sanyasa through a guru. Following his Guru’s instruction, Narayana Thirthar undertook pilgrimage. After visits to holy shrines like Tirupati he came to Govindapuram, near Kumbakonam, in Tamil Nadu. As per his Guru’s wish, he came there to have darshan of Sri Bodendra Swami; but unfortunately Sri Bodendra Swami had already attained ‘Jiva Samadhi’. He then visited various holy towns in and around the banks of river Kaveri. At this point of time he contracted severe stomach ache. In spite of visiting many holy places, he was not cured of his stomach ache. Once, when he was sleeping in a Ganesha temple in a village called Nadukkaveri, Lord Krishna appeared in his dreams and said, “When you wake up, you will see an animal. Follow the animal and you will be relieved of your stomach ache.” When Narayana Thirthar woke up, he saw a boar. It is considered a bad omen to sight a boar on waking up! And now, he had to follow the boar! As it was a divine instruction, he sincerely followed the white boar for about a distance of 4 kms. He became too tired to follow the boar further. Just then, the animal disappeared into the temple and he heard a voice: “Search not for me! It is I who brought you here!” Narayana Thirthar's joy knew no bounds when he realized that the Lord who had incarnated as a boar had taken the form of a boar now and had led him there! Strange are the ways the Lord adopts to win over His devotees. That very moment, Narayana Thirthar’s stomach ache vanished. The incident in which Lord Siva appeared as a Brahmin to Sundaramurthy Nayanar and disappeared into a temple, another involving Tirunavukkarasar where Lord Siva cured him of his stomach ache and this incident in the Life of Narayana Thirthar, all go to show that the Lord is indeed a conjurer of divine plays! Thenceforth that town Bhoopatirajapuram was called Varahur. Lord Venkatesa Perumal decorates the temple here. It is said that He had given ‘Viswaroopa Darshan’ (darshan of the colossal form of the Lord) to Narayana Thirthar. Narayana Thirthar’s kirtans on Lord Krishna are filled with devotion and warmth. It is said that he would hear the jingling of anklets of the Divine Couple Radha-Krishna whenever he sang. Through his numerous kirtans, Sri Narayana Thirthar encouraged the traditional Bhajana Sampradhaya and shone as a Guru to a huge number of followers. `Sri Krishna Leela Tharangini," is his narration of the story of Sri Krishna from His birth up to His marriage with Rukmini. It is a literary masterpiece, composed in Yakshagana style with 12 Tarangams, consisting of 145 kirtans, 267 verses, 30 gadyams (prose passages) and 30 darus (narrative songs). Legends have it that Sri Narayana Tirthar attained Siddhi at a nearby village called Tirupoonthuruti under a huge mango tree, on the banks of river Kudamurutti, on the Masi Sukla Ashtami day when the Kritika star was on the ascent. A small shrine has been constructed on this hallowed spot, under the sprawling mango tree. Those who visit the holy kshetra of Varahur with devotion and faith are sure to reap the grace of Lord Venkatesa Perumal and the blessings of the Guru.

BHAKTA CHOKAMELA

Pandarpur is glorified as the bazaar of Nama. The most favorite of the presiding deity, Panduranga is Nama Kirtan. There have not been as many bhaktas for any other deities as there have been for Panduranga. The icing on the cake is the fact that these great devotee-saints have belonged to different castes, creeds, races and sects - a standing example to show that the Lord does not distinguish based on such mundane worldly classifications. The sketch of a Bhakta by name Chokamela...

Bhakta Chokamela:

Long ago, in the holy Kshetra of Pandarpur(in present day Maharashtra), there lived a great devotee of Lord Sri Panduranga (who was none other than Lord Sri Krishna himself) by name Chokamela. Sri Chokamela’s hailed from a slum and as was customary those days the inhabitants were not permitted to enter the temple. Though Lord Panduranga saw no difference between his devotees based on their birth, colour, race, wealth, region or religion, the selfish world did! To the Lord, the only thing that mattered was the depth of one’s devotion. The friends, relatives and neighbours of Chokamela led lives without any values, orderliness or sense of direction. They ate whatever they wanted; slept whenever/wherever they wished and were addicted to all sorts of bad habits such as alcoholism. Like a beautiful lotus that blooms in a stinking marsh, Chokamela though, led the life of a pure Vaishnava. He would wake early in the morning, have a bath, wear Tulsi maala and Gopi chandan and chant the divine names of the Lord. As he was not permitted to enter the temple of Lord Sri Panduranga, he stood near the compound wall and sang the divine names joyfully. Constantly, he advised his kith and kin to mend their ways and about how it was very easy to win the grace of God by simply chanting his Divine Names. Though they all mocked at him in the beginning, gradually his purity and goodwill won their hearts and they gave all their vices. Following his example, all of them woke up early in the morning and accompanied him to the temple where they all stood outside the compound wall chanting the lord’s glorious names. Lord Panduranga Himself relished every nama they chanted, much more than the puja offered by the priests. Like Nandanar, the great devotee of Lord Sri Shiva, Chokamela too, had transformed the entire slum. They were all a group of pure-hearted bhagavatas now.

Naturally, this was not liked by the priests of the temple. Though Chokamela and his group did not in any way interfere with the temple proceedings, the priests hurled abuses at them and told them that they had no right to worship to God. As is the nature of any Sadhu, Chokamela too, did not want to argue with the priests or fight with them. He thought if that was the way that Panduranga wanted it, he would stay at home and worship the Lord. From that day onwards, Chokamela stopped going to the temple. He would stay at home and meditate upon the Lord. He saw all the pujas in his mind’s eye itself. The experience was blissful. Time came when Panduranga decided to enact his divine play. One night, after the priests had completed the puja and locked the temple, Panduranga came to Chokamela’s humble abode. Chokamela’s joy knew no bounds. He cried thinking of the Lord’s compassion and totally lost himself in the happiness. The Lord told Chokamela that he would fulfill any wish of his. Chokamela immediately replied “Lord! There can be no greater thing to wish for, than your darshan. Now that you have blessed me with that, I beg of you to show me your temple. I have never been inside even once in my lifetime” In a flash, the Lord took him inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and they talked with each other all night long. The conversation was so fascinating that time flew away and it was morning already. The priests opened the doors of the temple and were shocked to find Chokamela inside the sanctum sanctorum. They cursed him and took him to the King. “This man who hails from the slum has entered the temple. Your majesty should punish him appropriately” they said. Chokamela replied “I did not go there on my own. How could I have gone inside after the door was locked? The Lord himself took me inside”. Nobody was willing to believe his words and they all alleged that he was a magician. The king, without proper enquiry, punished him by banishing him from Pandarpur. He ordered that Chokamela should not live inside Pandarpur and that none from the town should have any contact with him. Chokamela silently accepted this also as the will of God. He put up a hut on the opposite banks of the river Chandrabhaga and continued with his life as before. He and his wife would fast on Ekadasi day and on Dwadasi day, they had the most special visitor one can ever wish for to have a meal at their abode – the Lord himself. This became a routine affair.

On a particular Dwadasi day, Chokamela was seen beating and cursing his wife. The priests from the temple who had come to the river witnessed that scene and felt sorry for the poor woman. “ You have lost all your respect and commitment. Is this the way to serve the Lord? You have committed a great sin by spilling curd on his robe, careless woman!” Chokamela screamed. These words of Chokamela shocked the priest. They told each other “Oh! What is he saying? He is saying that the Lord has come to take food in his place. How can that be? He is definitely mocking at us. The punishment has not taught him a lesson. He has become more arrogant! We should report him to the king again’ Saying so, they went to the temple and opened the doors. What they witnessed was the most unbelievable sight. The robes of the Lord were drenched in curd. They could not believe their own eyes. “Chokamela was right after all. Lord Panduranga had been to his place. Oh! What a blunder we have committed by insulting and ill-treating a true Mahatma. Let us all go and seek his pardon. Only then the Lord will accept us” they all said in one voice and rushed to Sri Chokamela’s hut. They all narrated the happenings and fell at Chokamela’s feet. Chokamela though, was embarrassed by this act of the priests. He said with tears in his eyes ‘Great Priests! I am just a humble servant of Panduranga. Please do not fall at my feet. I am speck of dust!”

The entire town and the king realized the greatness of Sri Chokamela and hailed his bhakti. The Lord had once again enacted a divine play to make the world understand true devotion.